The Ethereum Foundation (EF), registered as a Swiss non-profit, exists to develop and promote the Ethereum blockchain. However, EF defies traditional categorization—it's neither a tech company nor a typical NGO. As stated on its官网, EF represents a novel organizational model: one that supports blockchain ecosystems without controlling them.
Interestingly, EF shares deep ties with Taiwanese digital developers—a lesser-known fact!
Ethereum vs. ETH vs. Ethereum Foundation
To clarify these interconnected yet distinct concepts:
- Ethereum: The first smart contract-enabled blockchain (launched July 30, 2015) dominates as the leading "platform blockchain," hosting 60% of all DeFi TVL. Its co-founders include Vitalik Buterin ("V神") and Charles Hoskinson (later founded Cardano).
- Ether ($ETH)**: Ethereum’s native token, consistently ranked #2 by market cap. Used for gas fees and staking, $ETH surged 10,000x+** from its 2014 ICO price of $0.311 to its 2021 ATH of $4,878.
Ethereum Foundation: Established in 2014 to steward Ethereum’s growth post-ICO, EF operates as a gardener—nurturing but not controlling the ecosystem through:
- Ecosystem Support Program: Grants for projects/developers (1000+ projects funded, totaling $100M+).
- Devcon: Annual developer conferences (e.g., Devcon Bangkok 2024).
EF’s Governance Philosophy
Ethereum’s decentralized governance involves:
- Community-driven EIPs (Ethereum Improvement Proposals).
- Off-chain consensus-building via forums/Discord.
- Nodes voluntarily implementing upgrades—historically causing forks (e.g., Ethereum Classic).
👉 Explore Ethereum’s governance depth
Debunking the "Master Trader" Myth
Chain analytics reveal EF’s $ETH holdings (~30-31K ETH, 0.3% supply) and sales are transparent but not consistently timed at market peaks. Tools like Arkham track EF’s wallets, disproving the "sell-at-top" legend.
Taiwan’s Hidden Role in Ethereum
Notable Taiwanese contributors:
- Hsiao-Wei Wang: Core Beacon Chain developer.
- 陳昶吾: Former EF researcher, now ImToken’s CSO.
Vitalik himself has embraced Taiwanese culture—singing in Mandarin, attending ETHTaipei in temple-inspired attire!
Ethereum’s Future Outlook
With Ethereum transitioning to a validation layer via L2s and restaking, its decentralized ethos remains intact. Recent spot ETF approvals hint at bullish momentum, potentially amplified by 2024 U.S. rate cuts.
FAQ
Q: Does the Ethereum Foundation control Ethereum?
A: No. EF supports development but decisions are community-driven via EIPs and node consensus.
Q: How much ETH does EF hold?
A: ~30-31K ETH ($11B), visible on-chain via Arkham/Spotonchain.
Q: Is EF really a "sell-at-top" expert?
A: Data shows periodic sales—no consistent market timing. The myth likely stems from selective memory.
👉 Discover Ethereum’s latest innovations
For deeper dives, explore our Ethereum EVM guide or Layer 2 breakdown.